City Council to Meet on Jan. 26, 2020

Included in each City Council information packet is a memo from the City Administrator offering a summary and context of items appearing on the agenda. We will begin publishing these memos here in our news feed to make them more accessible. You can sign up to be notified of news items, agendas and more by email.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, public health and safety concerns require City of North Liberty public meetings to be held electronically, so as to limit the spread of the virus. The public is invited to submit questions and comments in advance of the meeting for consideration submitting them to the City Clerk Tracey Mulcahey via email at [email protected].

This meeting may be accessed live by the public on the internet at northlibertyiowa.org/live.

Meeting Note

Tuesday’s meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and live streamed at Watch Meetings Live as well as available on the website. The City Council and participants will log into the meeting in order to conduct business while the public will be able to watch the debate and decisions being made.

Budget Work Session

The focus for Tuesday’s work session will be on capital projects. Following this memo is the updated FY22 budget model with the addition of the FY22-26 Capital Improvements Plan. Also included is a document offering revenue estimates for a utility franchise fee.

Many of the FY22 capital projects were already discussed as part of the operating budget at last week’s budget session. The capital projects that deserve further attention include:

*Project held over from FY21.

• Civic Campus Design; $600,000: This project is slated to start in January (FY21). $325,000 will be funded with General Fund surplus cash while the remaining is proposed to be funded with a future bond issue in conjunction with construction.
• Comprehensive Plan Update; $100,000: The plan update is anticipated to start in FY21 also and will be funded with General Fund surplus
• Off Road Brush Fire Truck; $270,000: This unit will replace a 2006 Alexis quick attack vehicle and will be specifically used for grass and field fires. Funding options include a combination of Fire Capital funds, General Fund surplus and a General Obligation
• *Penn Meadows Park Parking Lot Resurface; $190,000: The north parking lot at Penn Meadows Park is in poor condition and continues to deteriorate. Current funding options include a combination of General Fund surplus and a GO or TIF bond. Other potential funding sources include a utility franchise
• *Penn Meadows Park Parking Lot Expansion; 170,000: Additional parking is needed to accommodate ballfield users. Current funding options include a combination of General Fund surplus and a GO or TIF bond. Other potential funding sources include a utility franchise
• *Tennis Court Resurfacing (includes 2 pickle ball courts); $100,000: The tennis courts need resurfacing and a large group of pickle ballers are requesting that 2 courts be converted for such use. Current funding options include a combination of General Fund surplus and a GO or TIF bond. Other potential funding sources include a utility franchise
• *Ball Field Lights (Fields 3 & 4); $500,000: NLCBS is requesting that ball field lights be installed at fields 3 & 4 at Penn Meadows Park. NLCBS is willing to commit an annual contribution to help repay a portion of the costs (after the restrooms/concessions facility is repaid) in the amount of $20,000-$25,000 per year. Current funding options include a combination of General Fund surplus and a GO or TIF bond. Other potential funding sources include a utility franchise fee.
• *Centennial Park Road & Shelter; $700,000: In order to move forward with the goal of constructing a pavilion and splash pad, the park road needs to be built first. There is a need for additional aquatic entertainment, and the pavilion will provide a year-round “gathering space” for the community, a top priority coming from the community engagement solicited through the Spark event and the community identity/visioning process. Current funding options include a combination of General Fund surplus and a GO or TIF bond. Other potential funding sources include a utility franchise
• Forevergreen Road Trail; $147,000: A piece of trail just west of Keystone Living is subject to constant erosion and standing water, resulting in significant safety issues for bikers, runners and pedestrians. The project includes grading and reinstallation of the trail. Current funding options include a combination of General Fund Surplus and a GO or TIF bond. Other potential funding sources include a utility franchise
• West Trunk Sewer Repair; $185,000: The west trunk sewer line, constructed of concrete continues to erode because of the gases generated by the use of lift stations. This project is phase 3 of 4 where a lining in sprayed in the pipe to preserve the line. The project will be funded with wastewater operating
• Construct Dubuque Street, Phase 1; $3,000,000: This project consists reconstruction of Dubuque Street, between Main and Cherry Streets and will include significant acquisitions. It is planned to be funded with TIF

Below is a summary of the FY20 General Fund Balance Policy Allocation, identifying projects that are included in the FY22 operating budget as well as other potential projects. To be clear, the City Council is not limited to these projects. If there are other ideas as to how to spend the funding, the group should deliberate.

The debt models identify existing and forecast future debt based on the proposed CIP. The TIF model shows a downward trend of TIF valuation, which will have a positive impact on the general fund revenues. The debt service model shows an opposite trend, an increase of the debt service tax levy to fund future projects. These are only estimates and most certainly will change based on project commitment, cost, other potential revenue sources and tax valuation growth.

And finally, attached to the model is revenue projections for a potential utility franchise fee. This document also explains how this fee could impact a family of four living in a 2,900 square foot house.

Please do not hesitate to contact me prior to our work session on Tuesday with questions or requests for additional information.

FY20 General Fund Balance Policy Allocation

$

Consent Agenda

The following items are on the consent agenda and included in the packet:

• City Council Minutes (01/12/21 & 01/19/21)
• Claims
• December Revenues
• December Treasurer’s Report
• Liquor License Renewal – The Station
• Change Order #3, Ranshaw House Project, Wolfe Contracting, Inc., $3,024.52
• Change Order #10, Police Facility Project, Tricon General Construction, $6,825.27

City Hall Design Proposal

The agenda includes a design proposal from Shive Hattery for a new City Hall on the civic campus property and attached to the police station. The estimated cost for design, up to bidding, is $550k. $325k has been allocated from the general fund surplus and the additional $225, plus other construction administration related costs, will be paid for with future borrowing or surplus funds. City Attorney Lientz has reviewed the contract and recommends approval.

Ranshaw Way, Phase 5 Project

The City has secured agreements with the owners of several properties which will be impacted by the Ranshaw Way Phase 5 public improvement project. The agreements are conditioned upon Council approval, and involve the acquisition of permanent utility, landscaping, lighting and sidewalk easements on the various properties, as well as temporary construction easements along Ranshaw Way. The agreements, which are summarized below, are recommended for approval by staff.